Frontiers of Sport – serie

How has our understanding of sport been shaped by sociological ideas?How can the study of sport help sociologists to understand wider society?The sociology of sport is a sub-discipline approaching maturity. This is the first book to stand back and reflect upon the subject’s growth, to trace its developmental phases and to take stock of the current fund of knowledge. It offers a ‘state of the art’ review of the sociology of sport and investigates those areas where sport has come to influence the sociological mainstream. The book also examines how the sociology of sport has attempted to engage with a popular readership, and what the consequences of such engagement have been. Focusing on touchstone issues and concepts within sociological discourse such as race, gender, celebrity, the body and social theory, the book assesses the successes and failures of the sociology of sport in influencing the parent discipline, related sub-disciplines and the wider public. It also asks to what extent the sociology of sport can be said to be autonomous, distinctive and distinguished, and challenges students of sport to extend their work out of the narrow confines of the subdiscipline and across disciplinary divides. As the first book to provide a history of the sociology of sport and to clearly locate the contemporary discipline in the wider currents of sociological discourse, this is important reading for all students and scholars interested in the relationship between sport and society, whether they are working in sport studies or in the sociological mainstream.

How has our understanding of sport been shaped by sociological ideas?How can the study of sport help sociologists to understand wider society?The sociology of sport is a sub-discipline approaching maturity. This is the first book to stand back and reflect upon the subject’s growth, to trace its developmental phases and to take stock of the current fund of knowledge. It offers a ‘state of the art’ review of the sociology of sport and investigates those areas where sport has come to influence the sociological mainstream. The book also examines how the sociology of sport has attempted to engage with a popular readership, and what the consequences of such engagement have been. Focusing on touchstone issues and concepts within sociological discourse such as race, gender, celebrity, the body and social theory, the book assesses the successes and failures of the sociology of sport in influencing the parent discipline, related sub-disciplines and the wider public. It also asks to what extent the sociology of sport can be said to be autonomous, distinctive and distinguished, and challenges students of sport to extend their work out of the narrow confines of the subdiscipline and across disciplinary divides. As the first book to provide a history of the sociology of sport and to clearly locate the contemporary discipline in the wider currents of sociological discourse, this is important reading for all students and scholars interested in the relationship between sport and society, whether they are working in sport studies or in the sociological mainstream.

Sport and architecture are two elements of contemporary life that have a broad and profound impact on the world around us. The role architecture plays in shaping buildings and societies has occupied historians for centuries. Likewise, the cultural, economic, and political importance of sport is the subject of sustained academic inquiry. When sport and architecture converge, as in the 2012 London Olympics or the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, then the impact of these two forms of social activity is redoubled. This book presents a new and dynamic study of the complex relationship between sport and architecture. It explores the history of sport architecture and examines the buildings and events that create sites where sport and architecture converge in particularly telling ways. Its chapters discuss the following topics: sport architecture and urban redevelopment sport architecture and technology sport architecture and nationalism sport architecture as social activism sport architecture and global capitalism.By considering the importance of architectural form alongside these key themes, this book represents a landmark study for anybody interested in the social and cultural significance of architecture or sport.

This is the first book to explore fully the connections between sport studies and criminology, opening up critical new frontiers in the study of sport and crime.Rooted firmly in established critical criminological traditions, the book also employs insights from emerging theoretical frameworks such as cultural criminology, governmentality theory and critical security studies to make better sense of a range of transnational and contemporary cases, events and trends that reveal, in different ways, the crimes and harms that are present in sport. Empirically grounded, including case studies of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it explores emerging themes in contemporary sport, including but not limited to corruption, doping, youth crime, terrorism, violence and transgression, and human rights abuses. Sport and Crime consciously pushes the boundaries of what might be considered the critical criminology of sport.This is an essential text for any course on sport and crime, and invaluable reading for any student or researcher with an interest in the sociology of sport, sport development, sport policy, the politics of sport, critical criminology, or socio-legal studies.

This is the first book to explore fully the connections between sport studies and criminology, opening up critical new frontiers in the study of sport and crime.Rooted firmly in established critical criminological traditions, the book also employs insights from emerging theoretical frameworks such as cultural criminology, governmentality theory and critical security studies to make better sense of a range of transnational and contemporary cases, events and trends that reveal, in different ways, the crimes and harms that are present in sport. Empirically grounded, including case studies of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it explores emerging themes in contemporary sport, including but not limited to corruption, doping, youth crime, terrorism, violence and transgression, and human rights abuses. Sport and Crime consciously pushes the boundaries of what might be considered the critical criminology of sport.This is an essential text for any course on sport and crime, and invaluable reading for any student or researcher with an interest in the sociology of sport, sport development, sport policy, the politics of sport, critical criminology, or socio-legal studies.

Now in a fully revised and updated new edition, Sport and Film examines the social, cultural, historical, and ideological significance of representations of sport in film around the world. It is an essential guide for all students and enthusiasts of sport, film, media, and culture.This book traces the history of the sports film, from the beginnings of cinema in the 1890s, its consolidation as a distinct fiction genre in the mid‑1920s in Hollywood films such as Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman, to its contemporary manifestation in Oscar‑winning and nominated films such as Million Dollar Baby, The Fighter, and Creed. Drawing on an extensive range of films as source material, this book explores key issues in the study of sport, film, and wider society, including race, social class, gender, and national culture. It also offers an invaluable guide to ‘reading’ a film, to help students fully engage with their source material. This new edition also includes a new chapter on sport documentaries, a consideration of Russian sport cinema, new pedagogical features – including review questions, proposed projects, case studies, and definitions of key terms – to enhance the reader’s understanding, and a consideration of the significance of sport and sport cinema with regard to the election of businessman and media personality Donald Trump as President of the United States.Comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible, this is an essential text for any course on sport media, and invaluable reading for general courses on sport and society, film studies, or cultural studies.A dedicated website with further resources is available at sportandfilm.eu.

Now in a fully revised and updated new edition, Sport and Film examines the social, cultural, historical, and ideological significance of representations of sport in film around the world. It is an essential guide for all students and enthusiasts of sport, film, media, and culture.This book traces the history of the sports film, from the beginnings of cinema in the 1890s, its consolidation as a distinct fiction genre in the mid‑1920s in Hollywood films such as Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman, to its contemporary manifestation in Oscar‑winning and nominated films such as Million Dollar Baby, The Fighter, and Creed. Drawing on an extensive range of films as source material, this book explores key issues in the study of sport, film, and wider society, including race, social class, gender, and national culture. It also offers an invaluable guide to ‘reading’ a film, to help students fully engage with their source material. This new edition also includes a new chapter on sport documentaries, a consideration of Russian sport cinema, new pedagogical features – including review questions, proposed projects, case studies, and definitions of key terms – to enhance the reader’s understanding, and a consideration of the significance of sport and sport cinema with regard to the election of businessman and media personality Donald Trump as President of the United States.Comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible, this is an essential text for any course on sport media, and invaluable reading for general courses on sport and society, film studies, or cultural studies.A dedicated website with further resources is available at sportandfilm.eu.

This book explores the complex relationships between sport and video games, two of the largest entertainment sectors globally.Focusing on those games that depict real-life sports and athletic competitions, from FIFA, Madden, and NBA 2K to Football Manager and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, the book examines how sport has influenced gaming, and vice versa, and how this relationship is likely to develop in the future. Arguing that sports games are a unique interface between virtual worlds and our real-life social worlds, the book examines the concept of simulation; how the performance of athletes and teams in the real world influences video games; and whether those close links enhance or limit the player’s experience. It also considers how video games are used by leagues and sports franchises, through sponsorship and in-game advertisements, to reinforce their brands. Furthermore, it presents a concise history of sports video games, and using narrative methods, it takes a close look at the importance of storytelling in sports video games, not only in the sense of the stories built into the structure of a game but also in the way that fans and media organizations build their own stories in sport, in both real and virtual worlds. The book also asks how sports video games illuminate our understanding of key social issues, including race and gender.This is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in the sociology or culture of sport or video games, sport business, or the gaming industry.

This book explores the complex relationships between sport and video games, two of the largest entertainment sectors globally.Focusing on those games that depict real-life sports and athletic competitions, from FIFA, Madden, and NBA 2K to Football Manager and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, the book examines how sport has influenced gaming, and vice versa, and how this relationship is likely to develop in the future. Arguing that sports games are a unique interface between virtual worlds and our real-life social worlds, the book examines the concept of simulation; how the performance of athletes and teams in the real world influences video games; and whether those close links enhance or limit the player’s experience. It also considers how video games are used by leagues and sports franchises, through sponsorship and in-game advertisements, to reinforce their brands. Furthermore, it presents a concise history of sports video games, and using narrative methods, it takes a close look at the importance of storytelling in sports video games, not only in the sense of the stories built into the structure of a game but also in the way that fans and media organizations build their own stories in sport, in both real and virtual worlds. The book also asks how sports video games illuminate our understanding of key social issues, including race and gender.This is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in the sociology or culture of sport or video games, sport business, or the gaming industry.

Sport and architecture are two elements of contemporary life that have a broad and profound impact on the world around us. The role architecture plays in shaping buildings and societies has occupied historians for centuries. Likewise, the cultural, economic, and political importance of sport is the subject of sustained academic inquiry. When sport and architecture converge, as in the 2012 London Olympics or the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, then the impact of these two forms of social activity is redoubled. This book presents a new and dynamic study of the complex relationship between sport and architecture. It explores the history of sport architecture and examines the buildings and events that create sites where sport and architecture converge in particularly telling ways. Its chapters discuss the following topics: sport architecture and urban redevelopment sport architecture and technology sport architecture and nationalism sport architecture as social activism sport architecture and global capitalism.By considering the importance of architectural form alongside these key themes, this book represents a landmark study for anybody interested in the social and cultural significance of architecture or sport.

The sports film has become one of commercial cinema's most recognizable genres. From classic boxing films such as Raging Bull (1980) to soccer-themed box-office successes like Bend it Like Beckham (2002), the sports film stands at the interface of two of our most important cultural forms. This book examines the social, historical and ideological significance of representations of sport in film internationally, an essential guide for all students and enthusiasts of sport, film, media and culture.Sport and Film traces the history of the sports film, from the beginnings of cinema in the 1890s, its consolidation as a distinct fiction genre in the mid 1920s in Hollywood films such as Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman (1925), to its contemporary manifestation in Oscar-winning films such as Million Dollar Baby (2004) and The Fighter (2010). Drawing on an extensive range of films as source material, the book explores key issues in the study of sport, film and wider society, including race, social class, gender and the legacy of 9/11. It also offers an invaluable guide to 'reading' a film, to help students fully engage with their source material. Comprehensive, authoritative and accessible, this book is an important addition to the literature in both film and media studies, sport studies and cultural studies more generally.

The sports film has become one of commercial cinema's most recognizable genres. From classic boxing films such as Raging Bull (1980) to soccer-themed box-office successes like Bend it Like Beckham (2002), the sports film stands at the interface of two of our most important cultural forms. This book examines the social, historical and ideological significance of representations of sport in film internationally, an essential guide for all students and enthusiasts of sport, film, media and culture.Sport and Film traces the history of the sports film, from the beginnings of cinema in the 1890s, its consolidation as a distinct fiction genre in the mid 1920s in Hollywood films such as Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman (1925), to its contemporary manifestation in Oscar-winning films such as Million Dollar Baby (2004) and The Fighter (2010). Drawing on an extensive range of films as source material, the book explores key issues in the study of sport, film and wider society, including race, social class, gender and the legacy of 9/11. It also offers an invaluable guide to 'reading' a film, to help students fully engage with their source material. Comprehensive, authoritative and accessible, this book is an important addition to the literature in both film and media studies, sport studies and cultural studies more generally.